Rookie MLA Judy Darcy has been given a plum posting in the NDP caucus.
NDP leader Adrian Dix named the New Westminster MLA as the party's health critic.
"I am so up for it," Darcy told The Record. "I am really excited about it. I have been a passionate health care advocate all my life."
Darcy, whose previous roles included serving as secretary business manager for the Hospital Employees' Union, said she's concerned about health care issues in New Westminster and British Columbia.
"It's 42 per cent of the budget," she said about health care. "I am really honoured that Adrian Dix has asked me to do this. He is a former health critic. He was an amazing health critic."
With Premier Christy Clark announcing that the Liberal government will be doing a core review of services, Darcy is concerned what that means to health care.
"We saw massive cuts in health care," she said of the previous core review done under former premier Gordon Campbell. "We will see what happens when the budget is introduced."
Darcy pointed to Fraser Health funding cuts to services at Lookout Emergency Aid Society's Cliff Block, and the introduction of charges for seniors needing wheelchairs as concerns.
"I really hope those aren't signs of things to come," she said. "I will be watching the budget closely."
While she intends to be a strong opposition critic, Darcy said she also plans to put forward positive solutions.
She said she will be consulting closely with stakeholders in the community and health officials.
"I will be spending a lot of time talking and listening and holding the government's feet to the fire," she said.
Darcy said she will also be pushing for the expansion proposed for Royal Columbian Hospital.
After topping the polls in New Westminster in the May 14 provincial election, Darcy attended MLA orientation on June 11 and was sworn in as a MLA the following day.
"To actually sit on the floor of the legislature is such an incredible and humbling experience," she said. "You are struck with the honour you have. It washes over you. I felt incredibly honoured. I looked up and saw my husband in the gallery and some good friends from New Westminster."
Darcy expects to open a constituency office at 737 Sixth St. in early July, after the space is painted, staff are hired and services such as phone and Internet are activated.
She's moving into the space formerly leased by her NDP predecessor Dawn Black, who retired prior to the provincial election.
"We are moving as quickly as we possibly can," she said.
Community members can reach Darcy by email and phone at judy.darcy.mla@leg. bc.ca or 604-775-2101.
